The Wayro route from Jilotepec to Malinalco is 110 miles (177 km), about 2 h 18 min of driving without stops.
| Distance | 110 mi (177 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 2 h 18 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-M40D → MEX-55D → MEX-55 |
| Mexican states on the route | State of Mexico (Level 2) |
| Toll roads | MEX-M40D, MEX-55D, MEX-A10D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 4.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
What the drive from Jilotepec to Malinalco is like
MEX-55D (35 mi) and MEX-M40D (31 mi) carry about 60% of the 110 miles. MEX-M40D, MEX-55D are toll highways (cuota); MEX-55 is a free federal road (libre). Of the 6 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Jilotepec to Malinalco, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–2 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-M40D | 2–33 | 31 | State of Mexico |
| connecting roads | 33–35 | 2 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55D | 35–70 | 35 | State of Mexico |
| MEX-55 | 70–75 | 5 | State of Mexico |
| local roads | 75–110 | 35 | State of Mexico |
Stops between Jilotepec and Malinalco
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 35)
- Nature and outdoors: Museo de Ciencias Naturales del Estado de México (mile 75), Nevado de Toluca National Park (mile 86), Lagunas de Zempoala National Park (mile 101)
- Museums and history: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (mile 35), Calixtlahuaca (mile 70), Museo de Ciencias Naturales del Estado de México (mile 75)
Cathedral of Atlacomulco
Atlacomulco's cathedral, the Catedral de la Divina Providencia, is the seat of the Diocese of Atlacomulco and is dedicated to Divine Providence, making it the town's principal Catholic church.
Calixtlahuaca
Spread over the slopes of Cerro Tenismó near Toluca, this site's standout is the round Temple of Ehécatl-Quetzalcóatl, rebuilt in four phases. Nearby, a Mexica-era skull rack displays stone skulls set into cross-shaped walls.
Teatro Morelos
In Toluca's historic center, just west of the State of Mexico's Palace of Justice, Teatro Morelos stages plays along with other shows and cultural events.
Museo de Ciencias Naturales del Estado de México
Set in the Parque de los Matlatzincas on Cerro del Calvario, the Natural Sciences Museum of the State of Mexico explores biology, geology and the preservation of natural resources.
Nevado de Toluca National Park
The Nevado de Toluca volcano was declared a flora and fauna protection area in 2013, a protected zone spanning ten municipalities of the State of Mexico, including Toluca, Zinacantepec and Temascaltepec.
Lagunas de Zempoala National Park
Seven lagoons, three of them permanent, sit among pine, oak and fir forest above 3,000 meters in this park, decreed in 1936 on the Morelos–State of Mexico line. Hiking, horseback riding, camping and rowboats are popular here.
When you get to Malinalco
Malinalco
Carved straight into the hillside above Malinalco, the Cuauhcalli is a rock-cut temple at the heart of this archaeological zone. The Mexica took the Matlatzinca town around 1476 and used it to train and consecrate elite warriors.
Desierto del Carmen National Park
Declared a national park on October 10, 1942, Desierto del Carmen is a protected area in the municipality of Tenancingo, in the State of Mexico.
More drives to Malinalco
- Valle de Bravo to Malinalco
- Zitácuaro to Malinalco
- Tlalpujahua to Malinalco
- San Juan del Río to Malinalco
- Tequisquiapan to Malinalco
- Salvatierra to Malinalco
From Jilotepec to other places in Mexico
- Jilotepec to Atlatlahucan
- Jilotepec to Pinos
- Jilotepec to San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes
- Jilotepec to Real de Asientos
- Jilotepec to Amatitán
- Jilotepec to Nombre de Dios
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Jilotepec to Malinalco?
About 2 h 18 min of driving without stops, over 110 miles.
How far is Malinalco from Jilotepec by car?
About 110 miles (177 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Jilotepec to Malinalco?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Jilotepec to Malinalco?
The U.S. State Department rates State of Mexico Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Jilotepec to Malinalco use?
In order: MEX-M40D, MEX-55D and MEX-55. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles and states for each one.
What are good stops between Jilotepec and Malinalco?
Closest to the road: Cathedral of Atlacomulco (catholic cathedral, mile 35, 0.5 mi from the route); Teatro Morelos (theatre building, mile 74, 1 mi from the route); Museo de Ciencias Naturales del Estado de México (museum, mile 75, 1 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway mile markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route (roughly 2 to 7 miles depending on the type, farther for World Heritage sites): at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, with no more than five of one type, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place and city descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.